Hanoi: President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Russia’s Vladimir Putin again denied interfering in the 2016 US elections. But Mr Trump declined to say whether he believed the Russian leader. But Trump made clear that the issue of Russian meddling in the election hovers over the leaders’ relationship. Mr Trump explained that Putin reiterates his denial “every time” the pair meet, adding his counterpart seems “very insulted” by the persistent allegations.
In a blistering partisan attack, Trump accused Democrats of using the election issue to create a barrier between the US and Russia as the nations work on crises in Syria and Ukraine.“Having a good relationship with Russia’s a great, great thing. And this artificial Democratic hit job gets in the way,” Mr Trump told reporters, once again casting doubt on the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia did try to interfere in the election. “People will die because of it.” Mr Trump’s suggestion that he may believe Putin over his own nation’s intelligence community is certain to re-ignite the firestorm over the election meddling.
Meanwhile, a special counsel investigation of potential collusion between Moscow and Mr Trump campaign aides so far has resulted in two indictments for financial and other crimes unrelated to the campaign, as well as a guilty plea. Mr Trump said the probe into the election hacking was a “fake barrier” placed by Democrats that was hurting the United States’ ability to have a relationship with Russia, a distraction that was putting lives at stake.
